After coming agonisingly close to securing Champions League football for the first time in six years, Arsenal look set for a busy summer of transfer business.
The Gunners have already shown their intent by signing Portuguese midfielder Fabio Vieira from Porto in a deal worth £34.2m.
The 22-year-old, who is yet to be capped for the Portugal senior side, becomes Mikel Arteta’s third summer signing, following the arrival of USA goalkeeper Matt Turner and teenage Brazilian forward Marquinhos.
However, the north Londoners incomings is unlikely to stop there as Arteta looks to bolster a side that will be hoping to finish in the top four next season.
The Spaniard will be well aware that the Premier League’s top sides will be bringing in quality reinforcements and with the Emirates Stadium side not being in the Champions League, they will have to be savvy in the transfer market.
Following Vieira’s signing, TBR takes a look at Arsenal’s potential 2022-23 XI.
Arsenal’s potential 2022-23 XI
After a solid debut campaign at the Emirates and with Bernd Leno linked with a move elsewhere – Ramsdale will be hoping to hit the ground running ahead of this winter’s World Cup and impress England boss Gareth Southgate.
The former Sheffield United man registered 12 clean sheets in the top-flight last season, but he’ll be hoping for more this time around with Brazilian pair Alisson and Ederson leading the way with 20 shutouts apiece.
Arteta will be hoping that full-backs Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney can prove their fitness after they both missed large parts of last season through injury.
When the pair and fit and available, Arsenal possess two solid full-backs who can be assets in all aspects of the Gunners’ free-flowing game.
Ben White will be looking to kick on in his second season at the Emirates following his £50m move from Brighton & Hove Albion last summer.
However, while the four-time England international became accustomed to playing alongside Gabriel, in his first season under Arteta, the 24-year-old could instead be partnered by Argentina international Lisandro Martinez, who has been linked with a summer switch from Eredivisie champions Ajax.
According to CalcioMercatoWeb.it, Inter Milan are keen to sign Gabriel this summer, and the Italian giants are even willing to offer a player in a swap deal – Stefan de Vrij.
Arsenal conceded 48 goals last season, which was eight more than arch rivals Tottenham and it seems Arteta is eager to bolster his centre-back options in a bid to tighten up his backline.
Vieira is likely to slot into midfield alongside fellow creative star Martin Odegaard and all Arsenal fans will be hoping that the pair can conjure up a lethal understanding who contribute a wealth of goals, assists and chances.
While Thomas Partey would be the obvious choice to play the anchor role and screen Arsenal’s defence, Arteta may adopt a more adventurous approach as the club reportedly continue to pursue Belgium and Leicester City star Youri Tielemans.
The Gunners have long been linked with a move for the former Monaco ace who has one year left to run on his contract at the King Power Stadium.
The 25-year-old’s arrival would bring additional craft, guile and energy to Arteta’s midfield and his work rate would fit with the pressing ethos the former Manchester City assistant manager is keen to implement.
While Arsenal fans will be keen to see Bukayo Saka put pen-to-paper on a new long-term deal, the England international is only likely going to get better after scoring 11 goals and laying on seven assists in the Premier League last season.
Arsenal’s number seven could be joined in attack by two Brazilian internationals who would undoubtedly bring additional firepower and goals to a team that scored 61 goals in the top-flight last season.
Saka and Emile Smith Rowe (10) were the only two Arsenal players to hit double figures in the Premier League last season.
Arsenal are expected to make an improved bid for Leeds United star Raphinha after the Whites rejected the Gunners’ opening offer for the former Rennes man, according to a report from Sky Sports.
As well as the Gunners, the likes of Tottenham, Chelsea and Barcelona are reportedly in the race to sign the 25-year-old who has been valued at £65m, according to the Guardian.
In his two seasons in the Premier League for the Yorkshire side, Raphinha has 17 goals and 12 assists from 65 games. Leeds’ number 10 is a match-winner who would improve Arteta’s attacking options, but with Leeds unlikely to baulk from their asking price – Arsenal will have to stump up the cash if they want to win the race to secure the Brazilian’s signature.
Following the departures of Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Arsenal desperately need a proven goalscorer to lead their charge for a top four finish.
With Erling Haaland moving to Manchester City and Gabriel Jesus moving into the final year of his contract at the Etihad, it looks a formality that the former Palmeiras striker will embark on a new chapter this summer.
No club has been linked with a move for the 25-year-old more than Arsenal and after scoring 95 goals from 236 games for the Citizens, Jesus could thrive in the number nine position if he is given assurances by Arteta that he’ll be the main man.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has claimed that negotiations between and Arsenal and Manchester City for Jesus are at an advanced stage now.
“Gabriel Jesus deal update. Arsenal are working on it and negotiations are very advanced – Arsenal will now need to be fast on final, key details involving player/agents to get the deal done and avoid twists,” the Italian journalist tweeted.
Gabriel Jesus completes Arsenal’s potential 2022-23 XI.